With two days to go for their fight, WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz (35-1-1, 19 KOs) and Rafael Rivera (26-2-2, 17 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico faced off for the first time, Thursday afternoon at the Conga Room at LA Live for the final press conference. Santa Cruz and Rivera square off this Saturday February 16 at the Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles headlining Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes.
Here is what the fighters and team had to say.
Leo Santa Cruz:
“We were getting ready for Flores but in the gym you have to be ready for anything. He is good opponent, young and hungry. These are the most dangerous fights. We’re ready to go 12 rounds,”
Rafael Rivera:
“This is the best opportunity to challenge Leo Santa Cruz, I’m ready for this fight. I’ve been in this situation before, I’m a fighter that’s always training and opportunity comes. I’m ready to pull the upset and surprise everyone,”
Also present were the co-main event fighters former champion Omar Figueroa of Texas and John Molina Jr. of Covina, California.
Omar Figueroa:
“Given our styles there is no way this goes the distance. It depends on John what route he takes but I always take the same,”
John Molina Jr:
“Talk is cheap and Saturday night we will get down. I’ve been down this road before there’s no pressure. It will be a fun fight for the fans,”
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